It is with tremendous shock and profound sadness that the family of Christopher John Battles of Londonderry, NH announce that he passed away at home in the wee small hours of the morning on May 5, 2019, a mere four days after being diagnosed with cancer, his loving wife by his side.
Chris was born in Methuen, MA on September 19, 1968, the only child of Nancy (Kaelin) Williams and Richard T. Battles. Chris moved to Salem, NH in his early teens, and was a graduate of Salem High School class of 1987.
Chris met his best friend and future wife in 1991 when he visited a friend at the convenience store where she was working. He became a devoted husband on St. Patrick’s Day 1995, and a doting father to twin boys in 1997.
Chris loved the outdoors, especially hiking and camping along the Kancamagus, and weeks spent on Sebago Lake. Chris’s appreciation for nature extended to a love of animals, large and small, including a chipmunk friend that he regularly fed, and his cat, Brak. He was passionate about history, politics, Boston sports, and was a voracious reader.
Chris enjoyed movie nights at home, music of every genre, especially Elvis Costello and the Beatles, old-time radio shows, and above all, spending time with his family. His friends and neighbors can attest to the countless hours he spent outdoors with his sons playing baseball, basketball, football, badminton, etc. Chris will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his wife and sons; they will miss him deeply.
Chris is survived by his beloved wife of 24 years, Erin (Kirchner) Battles and his loving sons Declan Battles and Conor Battles, all of Londonderry, NH; his parents, Nancy (Kaelin) Williams and “Step-Dad” Norman Heinze of Windham, NH; and Richard T. Battles and his partner, Paris Girginis, of Tampa, FL; his in-laws Dennis and Patricia Kirchner of Salem, NH; his sister-in-law Bridget Kirchner of Atkinson, NH; his brother-in-law Benjamin Kirchner and Rachel Leblanc, and their children, Giovanni and Daisy, all of New Bedford, MA. Chris is also survived by his and his wife’s extended families, and lifelong friends Jamey Gallagher of Baltimore, MD; Paul Bayliss of Leola, PA; and Ross DeHarpporte of Hopkins, MN.
Calling hours were held on Wednesday, May 8th from 4 – 8pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday at 10:00am in St. Patrick Church, 16 Main St., Pelham, NH. Private burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Londonderry.